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Divine Mercy — Unique Hope for the World. That's the theme for the 4th Annual Divine Mercy Conference, sponsored by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Divine Mercy Apostolate for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

The all-day gathering will be held Saturday, March 7, 9 to 5:30 p.m., at Cardinal Spellman High School, Bronx, N.Y.

"The reason we do these conferences is because we want to give testimony to the beauty of Divine Mercy," says Ed Miller, a friend of the Marians who helps organize the annual conference. "We're not looking for any breakthroughs in Divine Mercy theology. We just want people to hear from speakers who exemplify Divine Mercy through their conduct, by their roles in life. The conference is an exceptional way to give identity to what Divine Mercy means in the world today."

"We want to provide that link," said Mr. Miller. "This year, we will really be emphasizing the mercy congress and urging people to participate and to make the message of The Divine Mercy more visible to the world."

The 11 conference speakers for the March 7 event share a common belief that Divine Mercy — associated with the Polish mystic St. Faustina who in the 1930s received a series of revelations with Jesus Christ that she recorded in her Diary — is a source of divine power for the healing of the world.

The speakers include:

• Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, acclaimed author, television personality, and founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal;
• Brother Stanley Villavicencio, mystic from the Philippines;
• Father Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, director of the Association of Marian Helpers;
• Ralph Martin, founder and president of Renewal Ministries;
• Monsignor James Lisante, a regular contributor to the Fox channel, host of a weekly radio program, and a newspaper columnist;
• Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC, rector of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, in Stockbridge, Mass.;
• Father Frank Pavone, executive director of Priests for Life;
• Brother Jason Lewis, MIC, seminarian;
• Melissa Lucanie, director of the New Jersey Center for Divine Mercy; and
• Robert Stackpole, STD, director of John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy, an apostolate of the Marians.

In addition to Holy Mass, the conference will offer opportunities for confessions and Eucharistic Adoration. Marty Rotella will provide the music.